There comes a time when shared hosting is simply not enough, and one must upgrade to something that better suits the needs of the company. While some opt for dedicated hosting services, most choose virtual private servers. Migrating from to VPS is not that hard as it can be done in a few easy, simple steps. But for those that want a smooth transition, some additional things can be done. They will also ensure better user experience and system performance right from the start.
What to do on the server after you migrate
Some of the most common practices that users do after transferring are:
- Connecting to SSH and securing it. You can’t do anything without logging into the server. Once done, change the default SSH port and disable the login for the ‘root’ user. Set up one that does not require a password. Lastly, activate two-step authentication.
- Changing the root password. The most important thing to do on the new VPS server is to change this password. It is recommended to use a string of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a different one for each service.
- Updating the time zone. There’s a high probability that the default time zone on the system doesn’t match the one you are in. Additionally, synchronize it with an external server to avoid confusion in the future.
- Setting up the system locale. This is useful for those users that don’t want to use English as the main language on the VPS.
- Creating a sudo user. First, create a new sudo user with root access. Then, disable this access to the ‘root’ username. This way, the server will be protected from any possible attacks. Just create a new user with your chosen username and grant them root access.
- Installing a firewall and Fail2Ban. Every system needs a firewall; it blocks viruses, malware, and other unwanted malicious programs. Fail2Ban is also a great security addition as it automatically blocks harmful IP addresses that attempt to log into the server.
These steps will make the migration process easier. Following them is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout of the VPS control panel.
Remember to automate
Another important thing to do is to program tasks. This way, you won’t have to do them manually. Users should:
- Automate repetitive system tasks. Some tasks need to be done regularly. While they are necessary for the system, it can be quite tedious. That is why it is recommended to automate them.
- Set up automatic updates and backups. You should always keep the servers and applications up to date and backed up. This ensures that it is safe, secure, and can be easily accessed if some problems with data occur.
By doing these steps, hosts protect their sensitive information and save precious time that can be used to do more important tasks
Migrating from shared hosting to VPS is quite easy and is a smooth process. These additional practices are there to better this experience and to ensure that everything is set up according to the host’s needs. They also help with securing the server itself, so doing them is beneficial.